General Information 2024-25

  • WELCOME TO WEST UNIVERSITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!

     

    We are excited about the first day of school. Our teachers have been working hard to prepare their classrooms and are excited to meet their new students!

     

    We put together some general information to help you with the beginning of school until you can get your first-day folders.  Students will be sent home with an abundance of information. Please take the time to read through the information, fill out the forms, and return them to their homeroom teachers.

     

    Important updates and school announcements will be communicated via the WUES Mustang News. Subscribe here: http://wues.org/subscribe

     

    School Mascot:  Mustang

    School Colors:   Red, Blue, White

     

    OFFICE HOURS

     

    Monday - Friday:  7:30 AM – 3:30 PM

     

    SCHOOL HOURS

     

    7:30 AM   First Bell (Doors Open)

    7:40 AM   Tardy Bell

    9:30 AM   Attendance Taken

    3:00 PM   Dismissal

     

    An adult must sign students in at the front office if they arrive after 7:55 AM

     

    Students will NOT be dismissed from class until an adult arrives at the main office to sign them out from school. The office will contact the student’s classroom. Do NOT contact the teachers directly to ask if they will release your student ahead of time so they can meet you in the lobby.  Teachers are not permitted to do this, which puts them in an awkward position.

     

    PARENTS MAY PICK UP STUDENTS EARLY FROM SCHOOL BEFORE 2:15 PM.  WE WILL NOT RELEASE STUDENTS AFTER 2:15 PM.  NO EXCEPTIONS.  Please schedule appointments accordingly.

     

    Parents may not enter the back campus (inside the black gates) during school hours. The gates will be unlocked at 3:00 PM.  All children must be supervised if they are on the back campus or in playgrounds after school hours. 

     

    ADMINISTRATORS

     

    Scott Disch, Principal

    Angela Crowley, Assistant Principal (Grades: 4th and 5th) acrowle1@houstonisd.org

    Cindy Vu, Assistant Principal (Grades: 1st & 3rd) cvu1@houstonisd.org

    Vanessa Yelenick, Assistant Principal (Grades: K & 2nd) Vanessa.Yelenick@houstonisd.org

    Jessica Hill, Teacher Specialist (PK) Jessica.Hill@houstonisd.org

     

    Each grade has been assigned a grade-level administrator to make our big school feel a little smaller. After your teacher, you can contact your grade-level administrator for questions or concerns.

     

    THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS 8/12/24

     

    If your student does not attend school on the first day, they will be considered a “No-Show” and withdrawn from school immediately.

     

    Parents can only walk their students to their classroom on the first day of school. It's an exciting morning with lots of people.  If you bring small children with you, please keep them close to you.

     

    STUDENT DRESS CODE

     

    School uniforms are not required.  Please refer to the West U Student Dress Code policy on our website.  This will also be sent home on the first day of school.

     

    It's a good idea to label your child’s jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes, and other belongings that could be misplaced.

     

    SCHOOL SUPPLIES

     

    Our PTO coordinates school supply packs, which may be ordered online until roughly the middle of June. If you missed this deadline, a limited number of extra packs were purchased and will be available at the Back to School Bash or Red Apple Sale on the first day of school. The school supply lists are available on the PTO’s website here. 

     

    BREAKFAST & LUNCH

     

    Free breakfast is available to students in the cafeteria starting at 7:00 AM each morning.  Students may enter via the MPR door in the back of the school on Goode St. Parents are not allowed to sit with or join their students for breakfast in the building.

     

    Students may bring lunch from home or purchase lunch from the cafeteria ($3.75). Cafeteria funds may be added to student lunch cards via http://schoolcafe.com or cash is accepted. You will need your student's HISD ID. If you need clarification on what that is, you can contact the school @ 713-295-5215. Breakfast and lunch menus may be found here: https://www.schoolcafe.com/menus/0

     

    An application process will identify each student as Free, Reduced, or Paid for all meals consumed. Student eligibility status is kept confidential. To expedite the application process, parents/guardians can complete the application at https://schoolcafe.com

     

    Parents may join their students for lunch after the first six weeks of school.

     

    PLEASE SEND YOUR STUDENT TO SCHOOL WITH A REFILLABLE, LABELED WATER BOTTLE EACH DAY.

     

    ELECTRONIC DEVICES

     

    All electronic devices (cell phones, music players, game players, cameras, smart watches, etc.) must be turned off during the entire school day and secured in the student’s locker. Confiscated devices (those used without permission during the school day, ringing cell phones, etc.) may be retrieved by a parent from the appropriate administrator after school hours.

     

    BUS TRANSPORTATION

     

    All West U’s zoned students live within two miles of the school and are not eligible for bus transportation. HISD policy: “Students who attend their zoned schools of attendance and who reside two or more miles (as measured along the shortest route that may be traveled on public roads) from their assigned campuses are eligible for transportation services at district-designated stops.” 

     

    TRAFFIC & PARKING PLAN

     

    The parking spaces in front of the school, in the west parking lot, and one-half of the west parking spaces in front of the ball fields on University are reserved for faculty and staff (these areas will be marked with signs).  Please do not park in these areas.  Teachers cannot get to work on time if they must circle the block looking for a parking place. Please see the Drop-Off and Pick-Up Safety Procedures for more details.

     

    PTO

     

    The West U PTO is integral to the success of West University Elementary School.  Please become a member: http://westupto.org The PTO joins parents, teachers, and staff to address our children's learning needs and improve their quality of education. The PTO’s fundamental mission is to promote an environment at school where teachers and administrators can do their best work and students can do their best learning. 

     

    AFTER SCHOOL CARE

     

    These after-school care providers pick up students at West U after school.  You may check with them for availability:

     

     

    REGISTRATION / ENROLLMENT / ATTENDANCE

     

    Please contact Alma.Estrada@houstonisd.org with any questions.